The Salt House Project: Designing for Death (DfD)

1

The Salt House Project: Designing for Death (DfD)by

SunMin May Hwang

B.S., Housing & Interior DesignYonsei University, 2009

Submitted to the Department of Architecturein Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Master of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

February 2014

© 2014 SunMin May Hwang. All Rights Reserved

The author hereby grants to MIT permission to reproduce and to distribute publicly paper and electronic copies of this thesis document in

whole or in part in any medium now known or hereafter created.

Signature of Author ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Certified by ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Accepted by ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Department of ArchitectureJanuary 15, 2013

Brandon CliffordBelluschi Lecturer of Dept. of Architecture

Thesis Supervisor

Takehiko NagakuraAssociate Professor of Design and Computation

Chair of the Dept. Committee on Graduate Students

32

54

Thesis Committee

Thesis Supervisor

Brandon CliffordM.Arch, Belluschi Lecturer Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Thesis Reader

Antón García-AbrilPh.D, Professor of Architecture Massachusetts Institute of Technology

John E. FernándezM.Arch, Associate Professor of Architecture, Building Technology, and Engineering SystemsHead, Building Technology Program | Codirector, International Design Center, Singapore University of Technology and DesignMassachusetts Institute of Technology

External Design Critiques 12.19.2013

Gabriel FeldProfessor, RISD

Debora MesaVisiting Faculty, MIT

Lindy RoyVisiting Lecturer, Architectural Design, Princeton University School of Architecture

Marc SwackhamerAssociate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Architecture

76

The Salt House Project: Designing for Death (DfD)Testing radically rapid turn-over of building life-cycle

by SunMin May Hwang

Submitted to the Department of Architecture on January 15, 2014in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree ofMaster of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract

We as architects consider ourselves creators. We work under the false assumption that buildings will last forever. However, the fact is that every building eventually dies. This thesis rethinks the question of death. The Salt House Project is a product of this questioning. It tests radically rapid turnover of the building life cycle in the Islands of Galapagos, Ecuador. The thesis is carried out by designing a salt-cured seasonal residence, which will gradually and naturally be demolished over a designated period of time. The building life expectancy will be precisely set out from the beginning to the end-purporting each and every step of its life cycle -from occupation to demolition. It will be constructed and disappear back into the nature within a one-year life cycle. Some parts will obviously remain for a longer period of time depending on its structural integrity. However, the big picture is that the house will evolve-decay over time, varying not only in its form but also in its function. To implement this idea, all building materials will be based on natural resources including salt, soil, gravel, sand and coconut fiber. Water and heat will be the binding solution of the building structure and wind and rain will act as demolition agents. This thesis challenges the attempt to alleviate building obsolescence over time by reversely mandat-ing a building’s life expectancy. In doing so, we achieve firstly, a sympathetic connection between geometry and material and secondly, a vitality to achieve eccentric expressions of life styles that can be highly unique and customized. In fact, the way we operate shifts dra-matically when we design for death as opposed to perpetuity.

Thesis Supervisor: Brandon CliffordTitle: Belluschi Lecturer of Department of Architecture

98

Acknowledgment

I would like to sincerely thank:

All M.Arch fellow students who I learned the most from during my time at MIT, Professors for the “whippings” that now will be the seed of both my life and career,

Cron for ubiquitous and kind support, Cynthia Stewart and the rest of administrative staff whose efforts made things happen,

JongWan & Namjoo for the devoted help in the last few days of thesis, JinKyu for the mentorship when most needed,

Miho & Sung for the comfort and friendship throughout the first year, Jonathan Krones, Zahraa Saiyed, and Emily Lo Gibson for their supportive feedbacks,

Antón García-Abril for both compliments and critiques that come from true expertise, John E. Fernández for the added intellectual rigor and depth to my research,

Nader Tehrani for the courage and confidence I gained through the internship at NADAAA,

Brandon Clifford, the best teacher I have ever had, for making my last semester the most enjoyable and the most successful,

Friends & Relatives all over the world for encouragements,

Peter Kang, needless to say, for being there with me,

and

Lastly but not the least, my family for the ineffable trust, love and support.

SunMin May HwangJanuary 15, 2014

1110

Introduction Unintended building obsolescence Rising building demolition rates over time DfD Matrix: Scale over time Building component life-span Deconstruction vs Demolition Architects’ attempts to alleviate building obsolescence over time Precedents Other industries Mandate of time Result of buildings not designed to be deconstructed

Testing Ground Site Specifics: Galapagos Human Encroachment | Zoning Resources | Tourism

Design Process Life-cycle Materials | Form Life cycle assessment Construction & Demolition Process Program | Maintenance & Operation Structure | Design Factor

1214161820222426323436

38404244

46485052545658

6062789096102108110122

124126128130132134

138

150

Table of Contents

Material & Building Process Experiments 1. Salt crystallization 2. Salt solidity test 3. Salt texture, composite test 4. Earth repose test 5. Salt layer test (Saltification 1, 2) 6. Excavation mock-up 7. Demolition test 8. Settings

Drawings & Renders Phase sections Plans Diagrammatic plans Section Renders

Final Presentation

Bibliography

1312

Introduction

1514

Interestingly enough, buildings in modern society are typical-ly not designed to be demolished or deconstructed according to construction and demolition expert Bradley Guy. The way architects have been operating for years has been focused on growth and prosperity because we believe that long-lasting life is a virtue and at times economically more cost-effective. How-ever, the result is that many buildings actually fail to fulfill their life expectancy set out by architects. In fact, up until now, the assumption was that building obsolescence is a matter of scale of time.

Unintended Building obsolescence

Derelict buildings seen at 'Villa 26' slum on the banks of the Riachue-lo river in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, Argentina. (2011) Source: http://tetw.org/post/41374954509/ill-fares-the-land

Derelict building photographySource: http://1074192222.blogspot.com/2011/02/12.html by Olivia Williams

DfD: Designing buildings to facilitate future renovations and eventual disassembly. This involves using less adhesives and materials and using more re-usable components.

C&D: Construction & Demolition materials consist of the de-bris generated during construction, renovation and demolition of buildings, roads and bridges.(http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/TopGreenHomeTerms.htm)

Derelict building in ZhongZheng, TaiwanSource: http://fotografar.pt/predios-abandonados-ultrapassado-por-natureza/

Derelict building in Saint Louis, MI, Approx. 6,000 abandoned buildings in the Missouri City which has seen a declining population over the last 60 years Source: Photographed by Demond Meek http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2169773/Stunning-photographs-transform-St-Louis-landscape-crumbling-buildings-abandoned-homes-slum-beautiful-art.html

1716

Rising Building Demolition Rates over time

1918

Short Term

(1-12 months)

Afterparty Installationby MOS

London Aquatic center by Zaha Hadid

Pneumocell: Inflatableby Thomas Herzig

Medium Term

(1-15 years)

M

Source: http://gbdmagazine.com/2012/zaha-hadid-london/

S

L

DfD Matrix: Scale over time

UBC C.K Choi Building

San Francisco Embarcadero Pier-Museum, Historic Preservation

Light House

Philips eco enterprise centerStata Parking Lot

Shrinking building demolition in Japan

Long Term

(15 years- 60years)

2120

Building components’ life span varies to a great extent and so some parts inevitably become obsolete earlier than other com-ponents. This distribution map [figure 1.] shows how often buildings are demolished for reasons unrelated to physical ob-solescence. When the building is designed for perpetuity, it falls in the pit of having to deal with area redevelopment, resale and not to mention maintenance issues.

Building Component Life-

Figure 1.Source: O’Connor, Jennifer. “Survey on actual service lives for North American buildings” 2004.

Source: Building layers, The six S, by Stewart Brand (1994)_edit: added arrows go-ing counter clock to the original ones. Guy, Bradley, Ciarimboli, Nicholas and etc. “Design for Disassembly in the built en-vironment”-a guide to closed-loop design and building.

STUFF 5-15 yrsSPACE PLAN 5-20 yrsSERVICES 5-30 yrsSKIN 30-60 yrsSTRUCTURE 60-200 yrsSITE >building

Building demolition reasons

Most of the reasons are unrelated to the physical obsolescence of building components

Area redevelopment (34%)

Lack of maintenance (24%)

Others

Building no longer suitable for intended use (22%)

Building Ecology Research

Buidling Life-cycle mapsBuidling Component Life-span

SchoolsResidential buildingsnon-residential buildings

Seagram buildingJohn Hancock TowerChrysler buildingEmpire state building

MOS’s Afterparty, P.S.1 NY, 2009Shigeruban container pavilion+recyclable paper tubes, Singapore Biennale 2008Exhibition booths

FoundationFrameUpper FloorsStairsWindowsInternal WallsWall finishCeiling finishSpace Heating & Air treatmentLift Installation

*Please refer to the timeline below.Building life expectancy by factors and functions

Timeline of high-rise towers

Timeline of temporary buildings inflatables, exhibition booths

Building components life expectancy

0 1month 2 months 3 months 4 months 5 months 6 months 7 months 8 months 9 months 10 months 11months 12months

100 1 year 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100years years years years years years years years years years

100 1 year 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100years years years years years years years years years years

WHAT HAPPENED HERE?life expectancy of building components far exceed

actual lifespan of buildings

2322

21 % 2.4 x 4 x

vs

Higher cost

man power

Man-hours

Recycling & Processing centerTransferDemolitionBuilding

+

Deconstruction vs Demolition

Deconstruction

Deconstruction is a careful process that systematically disassembles a structure into its components. This process can recover items to be reused in future construction. Deconstruction process is also roughly the reverse process of construction, allowing separation of materials for reuse, recycling and disposal.

Distribution Building

37 %- Salvage value

lower net deconstruction costs 10%-

Recycling & Processing centerTransferDemolition

DeconstructionCost

Source: Deconstruction Institute, GreenHalo Systems, Note: For a typical 2000 square foot home

$3.64/sq.ft. $1.74/sq.ft.12 people 5 people

5 days 3 days480 hours 120 hours

LaborTimeMan-Hours

Demolition

Deconstruction vs Demolition

Demolition

Demolition process usually requires detonation thereby protection of the site and surrounding buildings. Many components that can be salvaged are damaged through this process.

2524

Methods of solutions

Architects’ attempts to alleviate building obsolescence over time

In order to resolve the problem of partial obsolescence, architects have attempted to reuse, recycle, reprocess and relocate buildings and material components. For exam-ple, Japanese metabolism came up with plug-in unit type architecture in the 1900’s. However, the initial cost of fabricating these customized unit types was too expensive that it could not supersede normal standards of build-ing construction. It goes the same for the container box buildings, which has now become a popular architectural practice. There are industries such as automobile and fur-niture in which designers have actively started engaging in the end-use of consumer goods.

4 Basic scenarios for DfD: Design for Disassembly

1) Recycling Material

2) Reprocessing of Material

3) Reuse of components

4) Relocation of whole building

Source: Crowther, Philip. “Building Disassembly and the lessons of industrial ecology” Shaping the Sustainable Millennium: Collaborative Approaches. Brisbane, Australia, July 2000

However, in the building industry, because of the large scale and the diverse methods of construction, despite the fact that there is a huge amount of research going on, the ramifications have been slow and minute in their impact. (Simply put, this is not to say that we lack information or knowledge, but it is rather that, it is hard for architects to have a comprehensive understanding of the technological input we can make on one’s own end.)

REUSE LIFE CYCLE IN BUILDING ENVIRONMENT

EXTRACTION OF NATURAL

RESOURCES

PROCESSING INTOMATERIALS

MANUFACTURE INTOCOMPONENTS

ASSEMBLY INTO BUILDINGS

BUILDING USE

DISASSEMBLY

WASTE FOR DUMPING

C.K CHOI BUILDING, VANCOUVER, BC

PHILIPS ECO-ENTERPRISE CENTER, MN

CONTAINER BUILDINGS

BUCKMINSTER FULLER’S DYMAXION

ROSE HOUSE

THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PATCHOGUE, NY

Source: Scenarios for Reuse in the Life Cycle of the Built EnvironmentSource: Philip Crowther, School of Architecture, Interior and Industrial Design, Queensland Univ. of Technology, Australia.

RELOCATION OF WHOLE BUILDING

REUSE OF COMPONENTS

REPROCESSING OF MATERIALS

RECYCLING OF MATERIALS

2726

Precedents

Wang Shu, Recycling Parts

PROSCONS

Xiangshan Campus, China Academy of Art, Phase II, 2004-2007, Hangzhou, China

Ningbo History Museum, China

Historic significance, ecologically effectiveTime consuming, need for base resource






Building Industry

PROS

CONS

Concrete reprocessing Metal reprocessingConcrete Recycling Process Metal Recycling Process

http://www.metalandwaste.com/Products/ferrous-metal.html

Reduction in landfill space, Preservation of virgin material,

Site/Storage for recovered material,Lack of standards for recovered materialDevalued materials






2928






Cargo Container Architecture

PROSCONS

http://www.archdaily.com/160892/the-pros-and-cons-of-cargo-container-architecture/Photo by wendyfairy - http://www.flickr.com/photos/20575593@N00/

Strength, Durability, availability and cost (as cheap as $900 sometimes)Toxic coatings used to facilitate ocean transport, Hazardous chemical flooring, Cumbersome process of making the box habitable, Energy consumed to transport container into place where needed, Awkward dimensions for human living space






Detail of system of joining capsule to shaftFigure 2.

Figure 2.

Isometric plan of capsule. Dimension are 2.5m x 4m x 2.5mFigure 1.

Figure 1.

Japanese Metabolism

PROSCONS

Nagakin Capsule Hotel by Kisho Kurokawa

Interchangeability, ReplaceabilityCostly fabrication of customized piecesLow feasibility for mass production

3130






PROSCONS

Interchangeability, ReplaceabilityCostly fabrication of customized piecesLow feasibility for mass production

Production & Manufacturing industry’s effect on ArchitectureBuckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion






PROS PROSCONS CONS

Quiet demolition, Potential for reuse of materials Saves historic building, Allows new construction in original placeSpecificity and high-technology required

Using Tecorep system, build-ing components are disas-sembled in the closed space. Two floors are removed each time. The roof of the top floor is supported by temporary columns, which are placed on large beams two floors below. While building components get dismantled, jacks incor-porated into columns are lowered, creating a shrinking building effect from the out-side.

The Carnegie Library of Pa-tchogue was relocated as the 334 ton three-story brick building was moved to a stor-age location. The moving will be done in several phases.

Heavy machinery moving process

Building MobilityHigh-tech demolition systems for high-risesThe Carnegie Library of Patchogue, NYShrinking Building, Tokyo, Japanhttp://www.wolfehousebuildingmovers.com/showcase/project-list/gallery/new-york/patchogue-nyhttp://web-japan.org/trends/11_tech-life/tec130325.html

Precedents

3332

Automobile Industry

Automobile components disassemblyDamian Ortega’s exhibition

General Motors, Chrysler and Ford formed “Vehicle Recycling Partnership 1994 to develop means to recover materials from automobiles for reuse and recycling (Billatos and Basaly, 1997)

Furniture Industry

Self assembly and disassembly of furnitures Damian Ortega’s exhibition

Do-it-yourself (DIY) furnitures allow components to come apart easily as it is to assembly them, allowing easier access to reuse, recycle and reprocessing of materials.

Other industries

3534

LEED, in fact, mandates the use of dead buildings as much as possible.

Mandate of time

Successful Example: LEED Point System

1 point 2 points

3736

After a thorough examination of current and past attempts to reduce building construction waste, the realization was that the major problem lies in the fact that buildings in modern society are typically not designed to be deconstructed*. That is why so many building materi-als end up in trash.

The consequences are as follows... ...

Result of buildings not designed to be deconstructed

*Source: Guy, Bradley, Shell, Scott, Esherick, Homsey. ”Design for Deconstruction and Materials Reuse,”

Designing for Built-in-ObsolescencePerhaps we can reverse the common notion and design with built-in obsolescence and make a building last for only for a certain period of time.

What would it mean for architects to break away from creation? What does it mean to design for death instead of birth?

3938

Testing Ground

4140

Site Specifics

The SALT HOUSE will be sited in Santiago Island of Galapagos, Ecuador. Santiago Galapagos is a volcanic island in the northern part of Galapagos that consists mostly of arid and dry zones. There is also a history of salt mining in the northwestern part of the is-land, which now sits as a scar of human invasion. The project will utilize salt from this mine as an essential part of the project.

Most importantly, this is a site where awareness for human en-croachment on its natural habitat cannot be more ecologically sensitive. The rising level of awareness in reducing disruptive and wasteful practice of human invasion makes it a perfect testing ground for this thesis.

Galapagos, Ecuador

WARM SEASON COLD SEASON UNDESIRED ZONEWeak southwest trade wind Strong northwest trade wind Safe for development, Dry land0-8 knots 11-15 knots

1 knot: 1.151 miles per hour

N

6RXUFH��$UFKLWHFWXUH�DW�WKH�LQWHUVHFWLRQ�RI�%LRGLYHUVLW\�DQG�(QFURDFKPHQW�LQ�WKH�HFXDGRULDQ�*DODSDJRV�0,7�*DODSDJRV�6WXGLR�6SULQJ��

Area: 585 km² Maximum Altitude: 907 metersHistory: 1960’s Salt mine excursion by Mr. Hector Edgas, the first settle

Santiago Island

4342

Santiago Islands, Galapagos

Human Encroachment Zoning

During 1920s and1960s, companies extracted salt from the Salt Mine Crater. The mine is a small volcanic cone whose crater has a seasonal, salt-water lagoon, where flamingos and other birds can be seen. Galapagos hawks are often ob-served in the area.

66% Invasive species & Human settlement

Arid zoneDry zoneHumid Zone

Pampa Zone Topmost zone | Wet climate | Prevailing fern & grasses | Lava Flows

Miconia bushes | Direct Sunlight

Scalesia trees | Brown zone due to due to decay of mossCostant rain during wet season | Humid | Ferns, mosses, grasses, Scalesia tree | Oversized daisy

Small trees and shrubs

Cacti | Dry zone | Rocky & Sandy

Lowest zone | Dry & Sandy | Salt water flora | Prevalent Mangroves

Miconia Zone

Brown ZoneScalesia ZoneTransitional ZoneArid Lowlands ZoneLittoral Zone

0m

300m

600m

900m

1200m

SECTION CUT THROUGH ROCA REDONDA, ISABELA ISLAND AND SANTIAGO ISLAND6RXUFH��$UFKLWHFWXUH�DW�WKH�LQWHUVHFWLRQ�RI�%LRGLYHUVLW\�DQG�(QFURDFKPHQW�LQ�WKH�HFXDGRULDQ�*DODSDJRV�0,7�*DODSDJRV�6WXGLR�6SULQJ��

STEEP CLIFFS, LAVA FLOW, CORAL & SHELL SAND BEACHES, ROCKY BEACHES, CRATER LAKES, FUMAROLES, LAVA TUBES, SULPHUR FIELDS, PUMICE, ASH AND TURK FROM LAVA

4544

Resources & Rise in Tourism in Galapagos

Resources Tourism

Galapagos holds very little capacity for fresh water

9,423

one household 2.9 cubic m/day

93.5 cubic m/day

1210 cubic m/day

167 cubic m/day

liters/ person/ day$100/ cubic m

16,250

800

cubic m/day

(estimate) cubic m/day

STONE EXTRACTION TIMELINE2011 2020

DESALINATION

RAIN WATER COLLECTION

EXTRACT FROM WELL

IMPORTED BOTTLED POTABLE WATER

$25/ cubic m

$1.21/ cubic m

1999

Granule used for pave-ment of the Puerto Ayora Canal de Itabaca Road

“La Cascade” neighborhood is built and new streets are created

Complete rebuilding of the road to Baltra

2007 increase in salaries for civil servants sparks wave of construction

Gravel

Sand

Stone FillingStone RubbleStone block

“La Cascade” neighborhood is

built and new streets are created

2001 2004 2007 2008

1,000,000

800,000

700,000

600,000

500,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

400,000

Potential Capacity

Existing Capacity of Tourism

1940 1960 1980 2000 2020

NEW POLICY-SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

4746

Design Process

4948

Hence, the thesis is carried out by de-signing a salt-cured seasonal residence, which will gradually and naturally be demolished over a designated period of time. The building life expectancy will be precisely set out from the beginning to the end-purporting each and every step of its life cycle -from occupation to demolition. It will be constructed and disappear back into nature within a one-year life cycle. Some parts will obviously remain for a longer period of time depending on its structural integ-rity. However, the big picture is that the house will evolve over time, varying not only in its form but also in its function.

Salt House Construction & Habitation Cycle

WARM SEASON

5 hr

CLEAR SKY (hrs)

Passive Occupation

Animal Sanctuary

Contemplation Shelter

End of Life-cycle

PLOTS: 7/9, 9/9 done moving

still need to plot 5/9need to cut 8/9-left side (v) & 5/9-left side

1,2,3,(4),(5) 6,7, -8,-9

Beginning of Construction Active Occupation

WARM SEASON DRY SEASON

Interior Excavation & Build-upFamily Vacation House

SaltificationDigging | Piling | Base Construction

WARM SEASON DRY SEASON

29 °C

Life Cycle

5150

The main material of the building will be salt, water, soil, sand, gravel and coconut fiber. The reposed mounds built out of earth, will be the form works (or mold) for the house and coconut fi-

Main Material Stream

ber will be layered on top of each mound to become the building façade. Salt crystallization over this layer will add rigidity and controlled opacity to the house.

SALT SAND+ + + | +WATER SOIL | GRAVEL BURLAP COCONUT FIBER

Using angle of repose as form work allows the space inside to get as big as the mound gets. The important factor in this method is that it leaves no harmful impact on the ecology. Forms will vary in

diameters, heights and angles depending on the mixture of earthen elements-which will add uniqueness and variability to each and every time a house with this method.

35 °

40 °

45 °

30 °

Form Works Using Earth element: Angle of Repose + Earth Molding

Materials Form

5352

Comparison among different building types

Life Cycle Assessment

Variant 1.

Variant 2.

Variant 3. Variant 4. Salt House

Source: Bayer, Charlene, et al. “AIA Guide to Building Life Cycle Assessment in Practice” American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC. 2010

0%

0%

0% 0% 0%

Construction (includes material

manufacturing)


manufacturing)


manufacturing)

MaterialManufacturing

MaterialManufacturing

Operations & Maintenance

Global Warming Potential (GWP) Energy Use CO2 Emission SO2 Emission NO2 Emission PM10 Emissions AveragePhotochemical Oxidation CreationPotential (POCP)

Non-RenewableEnergy (NRE)



Construction ConstructionOperation & Maintenance

Operation & Maintenance

Decommissioning

Decommissioning

Decommissioning Demolition Demolition

10%

10%

10% 10% 10%

20%

20%

20% 20% 20%

30%

30%

30% 30% 30%

40%

40%

40% 40% 40%

50%

50%

50% 50% 50%

60%

60%

60% 60% 60%

70%

70%

70% 70% 70%

80%

80%

80% 80% 80%

90%

90%

90% 90% 90%

100%

100%

100% 100% 100%

Acidification Potential (AP)

5554

Construction & Demolition ProcessLife-cycle Diagram

STABLE PARTS: LONGER LIFE-CYCLE

1 Week | DIGGING 1/2 Week | BASE-CONSTRUCTION 1/2 Week | SAND PILING

1 Week: 6-12month Month

The diagram shows the construction process.

1) Earth will be dug out, pile of sand that was excavated will be reposed to create a mold for the space. The next couple weeks will be spent on salt crystallization over the coconut fiber layer. Then, earth will be excavated back into the un-derlying earth. In this stage, there will be a negative space created in the ground alternatively so as to have service space and interior build-up using the leftover earth.

1-2 Month: 2nd Month 2 Weeks | SALTIFICATION

1 Week: 2nd Week | LAYERING. TARP WRAP, BURLAP or COCONUT FIBER

1 Week: 2nd Month 3rd Week | CURING

1 Week: 3rd Month | EXCAVATION

1 Week: 3.1 Month | INTERIOR BUILD-UP3 Month: 3.2-7th Month | ACTIVE OCCUPATION| NATURAL DEMOLITION

5756

Program Variability

2) Over time, the form will deform and some parts will fade away. Some parts can be made structurally more rigid in the layering process so that the durability is intentionally increased.

Private Dwelling

Soft-Bright Coarse-Dark

Public Hut

Differentiating MATERIALITY of moundsDIFFERENTIATES THE FUNCTION, LIFE-CYCLE VARIABILITY

Change over TIME CHANGES THE FUNCTION OF ROOMS

+

Rain Water Harvesting Potential

Note: Despite the huge potential in the rainwater collection system, this idea will not be incorporated into the Salt House. The rainwater harvesting goes against the natural demolition concept of the house . Although ideally feasible, it is unanimously agreed among the critiques to not include rainwater har-vesting in the project as it counteracts the thesis.

90 % RAINWATER COLLECTING EFFICIENCY=7.31 ton/year

Calculation: Area in m2 x Rainfall in mm x 0.001 x 0.9 (efficiency rate)1ton = 1,000 liter Water needed per person per day: 2-3 liters / day | 730 liters / year

ROOF PROJECTED AREA: Approx. 20m2

50 % EFFICIENCY=4.06 ton/year

Program Feasible method of Maintenance & Operation

5958

BASE STRUCTURE & PROGRAM

CHANGE IN PROGRAM OVER TIME

Living Room------------- Open public auditorium

Restroom ------------- Plant Vegetation

Bedroom Living Room Yoga Room

Kitchen Kitchen -------------

Pool Public bath Flamingo Sanctuary

BASE STRUCTURE DIAGRAM

In the conventional practice of architecture, “OBSOLESCENCE OVER TIME” was undesirable. In this project, obsolescence over time is actually one of the key elements of construction and demolition . Over time, the form will mutate through natural weathering agencies such as wind, water and rain.

“Obsolescence over time” as a desirable factorKey element in Construction and Demolition

This deformation will provide subtle changes at different times of the day and year, which will then cause to serve different functions at different stages of life.

Base

Structure

6160

Material & Building Process Experiments

6362

Coconut Fiber | Wiremesh | Basswood | Rice Paper | Corrugated cardboard | Casting Gauze | Burlap | Cotton | Nylon Fiber

Original state of materials

1. Salt Crystallization

11.10.2013-12.12.2013

Experiment & Observation of 8 selected materials

6564


Solution: Water, Epsom Salt and regular Table Salt

Daily Spraying Action


11.10.2013-12.12.2013

6766

11.13.2013 11.15.2013 11.16.2013 11.18.2013 11.23.2013 11.24.201311.11.2013


1. Casting Gauze 2. Coconut Fiber


11.10.2013-12.12.2013

1.

2.

11.29.2013 12.04.2013 12.10.2013 12.12.2013

6968

11.13.2013 11.15.2013 11.16.2013 11.18.2013 11.23.2013 11.24.201311.11.2013


3. Rice Paper 4. Cotton Fabric


11.10.2013-12.12.2013

3.

4.

11.29.2013 12.04.2013 12.10.2013 12.12.2013

7170

11.13.2013 11.15.2013 11.16.2013 11.18.2013 11.23.2013 11.24.201311.11.2013


5. Wire Mesh6. Burlap


11.10.2013-12.12.2013

5.

6.

11.29.2013 12.04.2013 12.10.2013 12.12.2013

7372

11.13.2013 11.15.2013 11.16.2013 11.18.2013 11.23.2013 11.24.201311.11.2013


7. Corrugated Cardboard8. Basswood


11.10.2013-12.12.2013

7.

8.

11.29.2013 12.04.2013 12.10.2013 12.12.2013

7574


Solution: Water, Epsom Salt and regular Table Salt

Soaking-Natural Evaporation, Oven Baking


11.10.2013-12.12.2013

Oven Baking

7776

11.13.2013 11.15.2013 11.16.2013 11.18.2013 11.23.2013 11.24.201311.11.2013


1. Coconut Fiber | Basswood | Corrugated Cardboard | Cotton Fabric2. Rice Paper | Wiremesh | Burlap | Casting Gauze

11.10.2013-12.12.2013

1.

2.

Soaking-Natural Evaporation, Oven Baking

11.29.2013 12.04.2013 12.10.2013 12.12.2013

7978

2. Salt Solidity Test

Oven Baking | Boiling | Microwave | Natural Evaporation

10.20.2013

Mound Test

8180



10.20.2013

Mound Test

8382



10.22.2013

Brick Test

8584

2. Salt Solidity TestBrick Test Result

8786



10.24.2013

Brick Test

8988

2. Salt Solidity TestBrick Test Results

1:1 | 77 °F| BOIL 1:2 | 100pwr | MICROWAVE 60sec.1:3 | 100pwr | MICROWAVE 60sec.1:4 | 100pwr | MICROWAVE 60sec. 1:4 | 100pwr | MICROWAVE 30sec.WATER: SALT (RATIO)

9190

3. Salt Texture, Composite Test

Sand+Plaster: Sand->Sun dried Salt + Epsom Salt -> Steam -> Plaster -> Excavation

11.03.2013

Sand, Salt Aggregate

9392

3. Salt Texture, Composite Test

Sand+Plaster: Sand->Sun dried Salt + Epsom Salt -> Steam -> Plaster -> Excavation

11.03.2013

Sand, Salt Aggregate

9594

3. Salt Texture, Composite TestSand, Salt Aggregate Test Result

9796

4. Earth Repose Test

12.05.2013

Sand Build-up, Texture Wrap-up

9998


12.05.2013

Sand Build-up

Sand Build-up demonstrating angle of repose

101100


12.05.2013

Sand Build-up, Texture Wrap-up

Texture Wrap-up to cast sand mound

103102

5. Salt Layer Test (Saltification 1.)

12.07.2013

Salt Water Spray + Drier + Light Torch


105104


12.07.2013



First day Few days after

107106


12.10.2013

Salt Water Paste application

Solution: Epsom Salt + Table Salt + Boiling Water

109108

6. Excavation Mock-up

12.11.2013

Sand Excavation (& Interior Build-up)

111110

12.13.2013

Syringe: Rain Simulation

7. Demolition Test (Partial)

113112

12.13.2013

Syringe: Rain Simulation

7. Demolition Test (Partial)

115114

7. Demolition Test (Partial)Syringe: Rain Simulation Result

117116

7. Demolition Test (Full Scale Model)

12.15.2013

Rain Simulation Result

119118

7. Demolition Test (Full Scale Model)

12.15.2013

Rain Simulation Result

121120

7. Demolition Test (Full Scale Model)Rain Simulation Result

123122

Experiment Settings

11.20.2013-12.15.2013

Salt, Rain, Demolition Test set-up room

125124

Drawings & Renders

127126

3rd MONTH OF BUILDING LIFE-CYCLE 3rd-4.5 MONTH OF LIFE-CYCLEImmediately after Earth Excavation Beginning of Occupancy Stage

Phase Sections

Section Details & Deformation over time

Phase Sections 1/6” = 1’-0”

Drawings+Material: Time

4.5-6th MONTH OF LIFE-CYCLE 6th-12th (or More) OF LIFE-CYCLEActive Occupancy Stage Natural Demolition Stage

129128

Phase Plans 1/6” = 1’-0”

Plans

Occupancy Phase: Deformation and transition over time

Drawings+Material: Time

131130

Diagrammatic Plan

Diagrammatic Plan Variations

Unique formations

133132

Phase Plans 1/6” = 1’-0”

SectionOccupancy Phase

135134Lighting & Gaze Material Function

137136Exterior View

139138

Final Presentation

141140

12.19.2013, Media Lab

Model & Test Samples

Final Presentation

143142

12.19.2013, Media Lab


Final Presentation

145144

12.19.2013, Media Lab


Final Presentation

147146

149148

151150

Bibliography

153152

Andrew Scott (M.Arch) Spring 2011 Studio. “Galapagos: Architecture at the Intersection of Biodiversity and Encroachment in the Ecuadorian Gala-pagos” Massachusetts Institute of Technology, October 2011

Bayer, Charlene, et al. “AIA Guide to Building Life Cycle Assessment in Practice” American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC. 2010

Crowther, Philip. “Chapter 7-Design of Buildings and Components for Deconstruction”

Crowther, Philip. “Building Disassembly and the lessons of industrial ecology” Shaping the Sustainable Millennium: Collaborative Approaches. Brisbane, Australia, July 2000

Diven, Richard and Michael R.Taylor. “Demolition Planning” Supplemental Architectural Services, Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice. 2006

EPA Green Building Workgroup. “Buildings and their Impact on the Environment: A Statistical Summary “ 2009 (EPA’s Green Building website at www.epa.gov/greenbuilding. )

Gaisset, Ines. “Designing Buidings for Disassembly: Stimulating a change in the Designer’s Role” Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept. Mas-sachusetts Institute of Technology. June 2011

Guy, Bradley and Sean Mclendon. “How cost effective is deconstruction?” Center of construction and Environment at the University of Florida, Gainsville. July 2001

Guy, Bradley, Ciarimboli, Nicholas and etc. “Design for Disassembly in the built environment”-a guide to closed-loop design and building.

Guy, Bradley, et al. ”Design for Deconstruction and Materials Reuse,”

Saiyed, Zahraa Nazim. “Disaster Debris Management and Recovery of Housing Stock in San Francisco, CA” Department of Architecture, Massa-chusetts Institute of Technology. June 2012

Bibliography

Credit Black background photography by Andy Ryan

For video, visit link: http://youtu.be/-5GcSURrhwY (Title: The Salt House Project: Designing for death_MIT M.Arch thesis '13_SunMin May Hwang )

etc.

Documents

The Salt House Project: Designing for Death (DfD)